There are numerous explanations for why someone would want their house to appear more costly. It could be that they want their surroundings to feel more opulent or that they intend to sell their home soon. Paint is one of the most cost-effective ways to give the appearance of more expensive interior design, and certain color schemes look more “expensive” than others.
“One of the most economical and useful ways to update your house is with paint,” says Shelby Van Daley, interior designer at Daley Home. “Let’s face it—a home that has been updated will appear more expensive by nature.”
This includes maintaining your entryway, trim, and walls looking new and updated, according to Van Daley. According to Van Daley, utilizing a variety of paint colors in the interior is a terrific way to distinguish different areas and give your house a more upscale appearance, particularly when combined with your millwork and cabinetry. There are a ton of paint options, she continues, and you can begin choosing paint by stealing colors from rugs, artwork, or other fabrics in a room.
Painting a room darker, especially in compact rooms, creates a sophisticated, opulent vibe, according to interior designer Kristina Phillips of Kristina Phillips Interior Design. “Painting the trim a deeper tone, or even a contrast color, can add a bespoke, luxurious-feeling detail,” she adds, advising against ignoring the trim.
Now that you have some starting points, think about limiting your color selection to these “expensive” paint selections from our designers.
1) Dark Gray
With good reason, dark and somber slate gray is still popular. You may achieve the “expensive” look you’re striving for in a place using a variety of tints. For example, Phillips has used Dark Lead, a color from the British business Little Greene, on walls and trim in various finishes because “due to its warm grayish-blue hue, I find it coordinates brilliantly with a variety of wallcoverings, and brings an understated warmth to any room.”
Additionally, she has used Farrow & Ball’s Down Pipe in tiny bathrooms “to have them immediately look updated and chic.”Van Daley has a preference for Sherwin-Williams’ Urbane Bronze when it comes to dark gray. “This is the ideal dark, yet warm, tone if you want dark interior millwork or cabinetry,” she explains. “We adore the way Urbane Bronze looks in a satin-finished room.”
2) Light Gray
Conversely, light gray can sometimes give the impression that a space is more expensive. Grays are a good option if you want to increase the value of your home while selling, even if they can be a predictable paint choice. Phillips suggests gravitating toward creamy grays with hints of taupe or greige to obtain the most beautiful tone. She especially enjoys Benjamin Moore’s Stormy Monday, which she says is “almost lavender” and has a soothing effect that “makes a room look and feel effortless yet sophisticated.”
3) White
Benjamin Moore’s White Dove is a favorite color among designers because, as Van Daley states, it is a “perfect, classic white” that works well for trim, doors, and cabinetry.
Van Daley observes that “it works well with a lot of different wall colors.” “In order to elevate the house, we frequently use white trim in the main areas and find different paint colors for particular rooms.”
4) Off-White
Off-white, which belongs to the white hue family, is a great option if you want to add flair to a room while maintaining its classic and opulent appearance. Because underlying tones can vary widely, Phillips admits that “finding the right off-white paint color can be daunting.” However, she particularly suggests Benjamin Moore’s Simply White as a tried-and-true classic. According to her, the color “looks lush and clean because it blends just a touch of creamy without any yellowness.”
5) Creamy Beige
Beige, which has a sandy disposition that is neither quite white nor tan, can be used to warm a space and give it an upscale appearance. The most popular interior wall color at Daley Home is Sherwin-Williams’ beige-hued Shoji White.
It is “a light, soft white that can appear warm or cool depending on the lighting,” according to Van Daley. She usually applies the color to walls and ceilings in a matte finish.
6) Dark Green
Recently, dark green—which ranges from teal to pine tree-like forest green—has gained popularity. Additionally, it has a remarkable ability to elevate a place and give it a more upscale appearance. Benjamin Moore’s Regent Green is one dark green tint that Van Daley favors.
She comments, “This is ideal for a moody office.” You can create a somber, dark atmosphere by painting a bookcase or all of the walls. For a more upscale, upscale appearance, you may even think about painting the ceiling with a high-gloss finish.
7) Light Green
Another color that homeowners are increasingly using is sage, or light green, which elevates interiors while offering a pop of color without being overbearing. Van Daley’s favorite tint of light green? Sherwin-Williams Sea Salt.
She describes it as the “ideal classic light green with a cool undertone” and says she likes to use it for built-ins, bathroom vanities, and kid-friendly play spaces.
8) Crimson Red
Despite its audacious appearance, a deep, scarlet red can actually add value to a space. According to Phillips, a shade of red like Little Greene’s Baked Cherry is ideal for adding depth and grandeur to a space.
